Combination guide rail door handle

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed that aids an operator in entering or leaving the cab of a large construction or farm vehicle. This apparatus consists of a series of steps leading from the ground up into the cab of the vehicle and two guide rails that guide the operator up into the cab. A first guide rail is fixed to the cab outer housing, and a second guide rail is fixed to the inner face of the cab door that provides access to the cab. The cab door guide rail is angled and positioned so as to aid in guiding the operator into or out of the cab and is also positioned so as not to interfere with the use of any accessories that may be mounted within the door. In addition, the cab door guide rail is useful as a door handle and allows the operator to guickly enter or exit the cab.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle comprising: a housing;   an operator's cab area provided within said housing, said housing having a first face facing inwardly towards said cab area and a second face facing the outside environment;   an opening through said housing leading into said cab area from the outside environment;   a door pivotally mounted to said housing at one lateral side of the door opening for rotation about an axis at said opening and having a first face facing into said cab area and a second face facing the outside environment, said door having a closed position blocking entry or exit of an operator between said cab area and the outside environment and being capable of pivotal movement to an open position of allow entry or exit between said cab area and the outside environment;   a first guide rail generally vertically extending and fixedly mounted to said second face of said housing at the opposite lateral side of the door opening; and   a second guide rail mounted to said first face of said door, said second guide rail being angled relative to said axis and angled relative to said first door face, said first and second guide rails aiding an operator in entry or exit between the cab and the outside environment.   
     
     
       2. A vehicle as recited in claim 1, and wherein said door has a top and a bottom, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said pivotal mounting of said door to said housing being at said first lateral side; and said second guide rail having a first axial end and a second axial end, said first axial end of said second guide rail being mounted near the bottom of said door and said second axial end of said second guide rail being mounted near the top of said door, the first axial end of said second guide rail being spaced further from said first lateral side of said door than said second axial end of said second guide rail.   
     
     
       3. A vehicle as recited in claim 2, and further wherein said second guide rail comprises a first portion extending from said first axial end perpendicular to said cab door and a second portion extending from said first portion to said second axial end, and said second guide rail angled toward said first lateral side from the bottom of the door to the top of the door and said second guide rail angled inwardly toward said door from the bottom of the door to the top of said door. 
     
     
       4. A vehicle comprising: a lower portion having a side that extends longitudinally and vertically from the ground upwardly;   a cab housing mounted above said lower portion at a first vertical position;   at least one step attached to said lower portion side at a second vertical position, said second vertical position being lower than said first vertical position, said step aiding an operator in traveling between ground level, the first vertical and the second vertical positions;   a service platform mounted generally at said first vertical position, said service platform and said step extending outwardly from said lower portion side;   a door pivotally mounted to said cab housing and providing access thereto, said door having a closed position and an open position where it is pivoted outwardly from said side, said door having first and second lateral sides and being mounted to said cab housing at said first lateral side, said door having an inner and an outer face and a top and bottom end, said door having an opening generally near the top thereof;   a window mounted in said door opening, the inner periphery of said opening being defined as a window frame, and a portion of said window frame extending between said window and said inner face of said door;   a first guide rail mounted to said cab housing parallel to, and slightly spaced from, said second lateral side of said door; and   a second guide rail mounted to said door, said second guide rail having first and second axial ends attached to said door, said first axial end being spaced further from said first lateral side of said door than said second axial end, said first axial end being mounted near the bottom of said inner face of said door, and said second axial end being mounted to said portion of said window frame that exists between said window and said inner face, said second guide rail having a first portion extending from said first axial end of said second guide rail away from and generally perpendicular to said inner face of said door and a second portion extending from said first portion back towards said inner face of said door to said second axial end of said second guide rail.